Self-contained back-geared headstall for elevator-bucket dredges.



BATENTED APR. 7, 1903.

. G. L. HOLMES. SELF OONTAINEDLBAOK GEARED HEAD STALL FOR ELEVATOR vBUCKET DREDGES.

APPLICATIONTILBD MAR. a1, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET L H0 MODEL.

No. 724,868. PATBNTED APR. 7, 1903. G. L. HOLMES.

SELF CONTAINED. BAGK' GEARED HEAD STALL FOR ELEVATOR BUCKET DRE DGES.

AIPFLIOA'I'ION FILED MA? 31. 1902.

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No. 724,868. PATENTED APR. 7, 1903.

G. L. HOLMES. SELF CONTAINED BACK GEARED HEAD STALL FOR ELEVATOR BUCKETDREDGES.

- APPLIGATION FILED MAR. a1. 1902. I 30 MODEL. d v 4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

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SELF CONTAINED BACK GEARED HEAD STALL FOR ELEVATOR BUCKET DREDGES.

I APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 31, 1902. N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

GEORGE LEWIS HO MES, OFCHIOAGO, ILLINOIS.

SELF-CONTAINED BACK-GEARED HEADSTALL FOR ELEVATOR-BUCKET DREDGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 724,868, dated April'7, 1903. Application filed March S 1902. Serial No. 100,685. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE LEWIS HOLMES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Self-ContainedBack-Geared Headstalls for Elevator-Bucket Dredges, of which thefollowing is aspecification.

My invention relates to self-contained backgeared headstalls forelevator-bucket dredges.

Figure l is a side View of the dredge with my improvement in position.Fig. 2 is a rear view ofthe head portion. on the line 3 3, Fig. 2, withthe gears omitted. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5is a detail section on the line 5 5, Fig. 4. Like parts areindicated-j'by the same letter in all the figures. j

A is the body of a dredge-boat having the timbersA A, the spud. Aaandthe upper deck A the parts arranged so as to form a slot through whichthe elevator mechanism is free toswing. Suitably supported on thedecking A is a platform A on which is mounted the head mechanism;

B is the base of a casting having a web B, a lateral inwardly-projectingportion B an up wardly-projecting part B suitably strengthened andprovided above with the extended plate Bflhaving the upward projectionsB B for the screw-boltsB to longitudinally adjust the Wedgeblocks andthe lowerjonrnal-bearing B for the driving-shaft B .:The wedgeblocks andjournal-bearing are fixed in positionwhen once adjusted bythe bolts B Atthe other end of the baseB of this casting rises a similar standard,carrying similar parts similarly lettered, for the counter-shaft B Theparts mounted on the base B are preferably all in one and the samecasting. The bearing proper for the shaft B is B. The shaft B carries ateach end, near to the journalbox B a small pinion B, which meshes withthe gear B on the counter-shaft B The counter-shaft also carries a smallpinion G at each end close to the gear B which in turn engages with thelarge gearO, which is keyed at O to the quill shaft 0 through whichpasses the driving-shaft B and which is supported in the bearing D.Associated, with each of these castings which have for their bases theplates 13 B is a Somewhat similar cast- .Fig. 3 is a section ing havinga base-plate D, with anupwardlyextending web D an upwardly-extendingstandard-like part D and a laterally-projecting portion D at one end.This laterally-projecting portion D corresponds to the partB and theyare coupled together by the bolts D D This standard terminates above inan extended plate D, with the upward projections D for theadjusting-bolts D for the wedges D which are adapted to raise and lowerthe bearing-plate. D on which the bearing D rests. The parts areultimately secured in position by the bolts D and thus is provided onthis casting, which rises on the base D, a suitable bearing for thequill-shaft C At the forward end of this base-plate and forming partthereof is a somewhat similar standard carrying a somewhat similararrangement ofparts for suitably supporting the bearing D for the end ofthe shaft B Thus it will be understood that there are two of thesecastings quite similar to each other on both sidesof the slot throughwhich the elevator mechanism operates, that a countershaft is journaledin adjustable bearings on each side of the slot, that a driving-shaft isjournaled in adjustablebearings on the two outer frame-pieces, as I callthesecastings,

'and'jthat the quill-shaft is journaled on the two inner frame-pieces.These four framepieces, with their "associated parts, are se curedtogether by'suitable stretchers or cross connections, so as to form arigid frame capable of supporting in proper position the ing or bindingfrom the yielding of the parts. For this purpose the two frame-pieces oneach side are secured together first by the bolts D asindicated andabove explained. They shafts and obviate the possibility of springarealso secured together at their forward ends by the stretchers E, shapedlike an inverted V in cross-section, placed, as indicated, in connectionwith the Webs B and D to which the ends of the stretchers are securelyriveted. The two innermost frame-pieces are secured together by thetubular stretcher F, the ends of whichare turned up'and suitably rivetedto the webs D D They are also seby which it is secured, first, to thedownspout G, and, second, to the head-chamber G It is shaped like aninverted V inside and is provided with strengthening-flanges G3 on itsouter surface. As above indicated, the spout G passes downwardly fromthis plate on one side, and the trough G extends downwardly from theapex of this V-shaped plate in the opposite direction in substantialparallelism with the descending buckets of the elevator. In the innerframe-pieces the part D isextended upwardly at the rear, as indicated,and to it is secured one end of the angle-brace G, the other end ofwhich is secured to the head-chamber to form an additional brace orstretcher connection for the parts at this point. Toward the forwardends of these inner frame-pieces is secured a bar J in the sliding boxcomposed of the two parts J and J These two parts of the sliding box areheld together above by the cross-boltJ and below by the bolt J and theyhave extended sides, so as to engage the flanges J J, which form aslideway for such box. Secured to said box by the cross-bolt J is thescrew-bolt J, which passes through the two transverse pieces J J and isprovided with a turn-nut J adapted when turned to move the bolt J up anddown, and thus draw with it the box and also the bar J. On the bar J isthe spool J over which the chain and buckets travel. Toward each end ofthe bar J is a casting J shaped, for example, as shown, and providedwith suitable flanges and partsto receive the ends of the I-beams J .1,which I-beams extend downward toward the end of the elevator proper andare bridged or connected together by the cross-plate J At their lowerextremities they are suitably braced, if desired, by the trussconstruction J and at their lower ends they carry the shaft J andsprocket-wheel J, on which rides the chain J with the buckets J". Thelower end of this construction is supported by the adjustable mechanismK, which is not described in detail.

On the quill-shaft C toward the middle thereof, is an enlarged portion,as indicated in Fig. 4, and on this is secured a chain-driving device,which consists of the following parts: first, the pentagonal flanges LL; next, the pentagonal extensions thereof L L; next, a somewhatsimilarly shaped part L L with the sprocket-teeth L L thereon, and,next, the central filling-piece L All these parts are held together bybolts L L and secured to the shaft by the keys L L. This quill-shaft is,in effect, a head-shaft, and the sprocket teeth L referred to engage thechain, suitably shaped for that purpose, and drive it, with theconveyer-buckets.

I have not shown outside additional bearings for the driving-shaft; butit will be unhe, would of course be, simply the ordinary bearings forsuch a shaft.

The use and operation of my invention are perhaps sufliciently suggestedby the foregoing description of the several parts. They may be furtherexplained, however, as follows: The elevator mechanism, which passesdown through the slot in the forward part of the boat, is capableofbeing adjusted to any desired position by means of the devices K orany other devices properly organized for that purpose. Theextension-frame, which carries the sprocket-wheel about which theexcavating-buckets travel, is capable of longitudinal adjustment to takeup the slack in the chain by the proper manipulation of the screw-boltsJ J, which move the sliding-box and with it, of course, the rod J onwhich is secured, as explained, the I-be'ams of the extension-frame, andthus this extension-frame may be adjusted as to length. The headshaft isdriven, as indicated, by the backgeared connection, the driving shaftand head-shaft having the same axis of rotation and the connection beingmade through the counter-shaft and the associated gears and sprockets,and thus the high speed of the driving-shaft is reduced to a low speedin the quillshaft or head-shaft. The high-speed shaft may be driven ateither or both ends. By having the head-shaft or quill and thedriving-shaft in close proximity to each other or, as in this case,concentric with each other I avoid the necessity of carrying thedrivingshaft either forward or rearward to get out of the way of thechain, and therefore avoid the necessity of widespread or separatedbearings and secure a solid self-contained bearing for the entirehead-shaft mechanism. There is no chain or other such transmissiondevice between the driving-shaft and the driven shaft, and by having thesolid self-contained frame for the entire head construction I avoid thedanger of having the parts pulled out of line which is incurred wherethere are separate supports on the sides of the slot and where thedriving-shaft is separate from the driven shaft. Moreover, in the caseof the use of driving-chains large sprocket-wheels are necessary inconnection with the driven shaft or head-shaft, and in some cases theyareas much as thirteen feetin diameter. This involves raising thehead-wheel very high and throwing the receiving parts, toward which thematerial is discharged, too far toward the rear. All the bearings of allthe parts on both sides are brought into such rigid relation that theycan be easily lined up and can be kept in line. With regard to thecross-braces or stretchers it will be observed that while theframepieces are securely attached together by such cross-braces they arepositioned so as not to interfere with the several parts. One of thecross-braces which bridges the slot is between the two chains in closeproximity to the head-shaft IIO ' belt adapted to work on thesprocket-wheel.

most a vertical to almost a horizontal position withoutinterfering witheither of these braces.

In the ordinary operation of the-device the material is brought up bythe buckets and discharged into the head-chamber and thence into thespout G, and whatever'drip takes place is carried by the trough G backinto the slot, so as not to interfere with the machinery or fall uponthe deck.

The sprocket-wheel construction ing the chain and buckets isfullyillustrated in Figs. land 5 andisadevice ofgreat strength.

and well adapted for the particular purpose. Its parts are very securelyattached together and mounted on the enlargement of the quillshaft, andthey are also made very strong and solid, so as to perform the severelabor for 'which theyare intended. I have not detailed the particularconstruction of the chain; but it will be understood to be a species oflink shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 4 a section of this chain is shown and inFig.1 a side view of. 'the same. 'The spool J on the bar J is intendedto cause the chain to pass easily over.

the bar J, and the bar J serves to rigidly connect thetwo upper ends ofthe I-beams.

I claima 1. In a self-contained, back-geared headstall forelevator-bucket dredges, the combination of a high-speed driving-shaftwith alow-speed drivenshaft in-close proximity thereto, and between thetwo sections of the chain and near the upper end or bend thereof gearsand pinions-connecting one with the other and reducing the speed, and adredge 'chain and buckets driven by such driven.

shaft.

2. In a self-contained back-geared head stall for elevator-bucketdredges, the combination of a high-speed driving-shaft with a low-speeddriven shaft or quill concentric therewith, gears and pinions connectingone with the other and reducing the speed, and a dredge chain andbuckets driven by such driven shaft. 1

3.- In a self-contained back-geared headstall for elevator-bucketdredges, the combination of a high-speed driving-shaft with a low-speeddriven shaft orqui=ll-- concentric therewith, gears and pinionsconnecting one with the other and reducing the speed, a dredge chain andbuckets driven by such driven shaft, and two outer frame-pieces in whichthe driving-shaft is journaledand two inner frame-pieces in which thedriven shaft is journaled.

4.. In a self-contained back-geared head-x stall for elevator-bucketdredges, the combination of a high-speed driving-shaft with alow-speed'driven shaft or quill'concentric therewith, gears andpinionsconnecting one for driv-- with the other and reducing the speed, a

dredge chain and buckets driven by such driven shaft, two outerframe-pieces in which the driving-shaftis journaled and two inner frame-pieces in which the driven shaft is journaled, and stretchers whichrigidly connect the outer and inner frame-pieces in pairs.

. 5. In a self-contained back-geared headstall for elevator-bucketdredges, the combination of a high-speed driving-shaft witha low-speeddriven shaft or quill concentric therewith, gears and pinions connectingone with the other and reducing the speed, a dredge chain and bucketsdriven by such driven shaft, two outer frame-pieces in which thedriving-shaft is journaled and two inner frame-pieces in which thedriven shaft is journaled, and stretchers which rigidly connect the twoinner frame-pieces together. 6. ha self-contained back-geared headstallfor elevator-bucket dredges, the combination of a high-speeddriving-shaft with a low-speed driven shaft or quill concentrictherewith, gears and pinions connecting one with the other and reducingthe speed, 'a

dredge chain and buckets driven by such driven shaft, two outerframe-pieces in which the driving-shaft is journaled and two inner.

frame-pieces in which the driveushaft is journaled, and stretchers whichconnect the inner and outer frame-pieces rigidly together in pairs,and-other stretchers which connect the two inner frame-pieces'rigidlytogether.

7. A self-contained headstall for elevatorbucket dredges, comprising arigid continuous support for carrying all the headstall mechanism, suchsupport consisting of four frames, two on each side of the slot, the twoof each pair rigidly connected together, and

the two pairs rigidlyconnected by stretchers which bridge the slot.

8. A-self-contained headstall for elevatorbucket dredges, comprising arigid continu ous support for carrying all the headstall mechanism, suchsupport consisting of four frames, two on each side of the slot, the twoof-each pair rigidly connected together and the two pairs rigidlyconnected by stretchers which bridge the slot, said stretchers locatedone between the chains and the other below the chains, so as to permitthe chainsto swing through a wide are without interfering.

stretcher in the lower rearwardpart of the. support, and both placed soas to permit the- Ychains to swing through a wide are withoutinterfering-with such stretchers.

10. In a self-contained back-geared headstall for elevator-bucketdredges, the combination of a support, consisting of a series offrame-pieces coupled together-in pairs on the two sides of the slot andconnected together across the slot, so as to form a substantiallycontinuous and rigid support, counter-shafts, one on each side of theslot, a driven shaft, and a driving-shaft concentric therewith, all ofsuch shafts mounted upon said support.

11. In a self-contained back-geared headstall for elevator-bucketdredges, the combination of a support, consisting of a series offrame-pieces coupled together in pairs on the two sides of the slot andconnected together across the slot, so as to form a substantiallycontinuous and rigid support, counter-shafts, one on each side of theslot, a driven shaft, a driving-shaft concentric therewith, all of suchshafts mounted upon said support, and adjustable hearings on the supportso that said shafts may be brought into alinement and held 'there by therigidity of their common support.

12. In a self-contained headstall for elevator-bucket dredges, thecombination of suitable supporting frame pieces on opposite sides of theslot, with a head-chamber attached thereto and forming a brace or bridgeacross the slot, and other bridges or braces across said slot to bringthe frame-pieces into rigid relation.

13. In a self-contained headstall for elevator-bucket dredges, thecombination of suitable supporting frame-pieces on opposite sides of theslot,with a head-chamber attached thereto and forming a brace or bridgeacross the slot, other bridges or braces across said slot to bring theframe-pieces into rigid relation, and suitable spouts depending fromsaid head-chamber to carry away the material discharged therein.

14. In a headstall for elevatorbucket dredges, the combination of anextensionframe to carry the outer sprocket for the chain, with atransverse rod, such device containing such transverse rod,asupportingframe on which the driving-shaft for the chain is carried,and adjustments for such transverse rod, whereby it may be moved toextend or contract the extension-frame.

15. In a headstall for elevatorbucket dredges, the combination of anextensionframe to carry the outer sprocket for the chain, with atransverse rod on which it is pivoted, a supporting-frame on which thedriving-shaft for the chain is carried, and adjustments for suchtransverse rod, whereby it may bemoved to extend or contract theextension-frame, said adjustments consisting of screw-bolts and movableboxes controlled thereby. I

16. In a self-contained headstall for elevator-bucket dredges, thecombination of a suitable support with a driving-shaft mounted thereon,an extension connection mounted thereon independent of thedriving-shaft, and an extension-frame attached to such connection, sothat the extension-frame and the driving-shaft are retained in permanentrelation to each other while such connection is movable.

17. In a self-contained back-geared headstall for elevator-bucketdredges, the combination of a supporting part, consisting offrame-pieces rigidly secured together, with a driving-shaft, a drivenshaft, counter-shafts for the transmission of power from one to theother mounted on said support, and an extension connection for theextension-frame mounted on said support.

18. In a headstall for elevator-bucket dredges, the combination of asupport on which the driving and driven parts of the headstall'aresupported, with an extensionframe, a rod bridging the slot connectedwith the two sides of said extension-frame, and a spool on said rod overwhich the chain travels.

19. In a headstall for elevatorbucket dredges, the combination of asupport on which the driving and driven parts of the headstall aresupported, with an extensionframe, a rod bridging the slot connectedwith the two sides of said extension-frame, a spool on said rod overwhich the chain travels, and an adjusting device, whereby said rod andspool may be raised or lowered on the support with reference to theposition of the driving-shaft, to extend or retract the extensionframe.

20. In a headstall for elevatorbucket dredges, the combination of adriven shaft with a sprocket-wheel thereon, consisting of side flanges,intermediate sprocket-carrying parts, means for keying the device to theshaft, and means for securing the several parts together in the form ofa spool.

GEORGE LEWIS HOLMES.

Witnesses:

HOMER L. KRAFT, IRWIN W. WESTERLAND.

